quote:I mentioned this in the impact analysis but Crouch is huge for several reasons.

1. Good player, really talented and is going to play a need position in OLB. And worst case he plays tailback. So Pruitt and company are getting a really talented player.

2. Top player in North Carolina. North Carolina is a state that when the Vols have been good it's been in the footprint of Tennessee recruiting. Pruitt and his staff have worked Charlotte like crazy the last year. Huge to pull the top player out of the state to help you in the 2020 class and beyond. Tennessee must make recruiting hay in the Tar Heel state.

3. Perception. I wrote about it on Wednesday. Tennessee is a harder job than it was 15-20 years ago because the conference is stronger and deeper than ever. So how do you get Tennessee back in the top tier. You recruit great players. It's easier to do when you are winning. Not so easy when you are 5-7. You need guys to step out and say I'm a Vol and we are turning it around now. Tennessee has gotten some of those key guys with Wayna Morris, Eric Gray, Soloman transferring and now Crouch. Getting commitments from ballyhooed guys like that changes the narrative quickly.

Bottom line is great work by Brian Neidermeyer and Jeremy Pruitt. Big victory for Tennessee for several reasons in my opinion

I’ve read the 1st 50 pages of this thread and it’s interesting say the least

None of it is particularly pleasant cause it seems like we have wasted quite a bit of talent but you can clearly see when Butch’s downfalls starts around early 2015 when they start working on the 16 class

You go from seeing names like Kongbo, Mackenzie, Kirkland, Tuttle, Kamari, and Hurd who some of which may have underperformed to seeing names that either committed to other schools or committed to us but have never stepped on the field

Not sure what went wrong on the trail for Butch but it fell part rapidly

Let's assume we have 6 spots left (we may have 8 with medical retirements, but I'm not sure). We have 19 signed, 3 committed. It's possible we lose all 3 commitments for various reasons. I think we keep at least 1, at best 2. Who do you want to finish with, name your 6

FIRST TAKE: ADAM FRIEDMAN, MID-ATLANTIC RECRUITING ANALYST “I'm fairly confident Tennessee is a lock to get Wright. The fact that he cancelled his UGA official visit that was scheduled for the last weekend before the dead period and went to Tennessee for an unofficial visit instead speaks volumes.”

SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, NATIONAL RECRUITING DIRECTOR “Most people think it’s over. Some people actually think he kind of regrets not signing in the early period and getting it over with because he knows where he wants to go.

“He has friends at North Carolina, he’s going to look at West Virginia out of respect for his home state school. I don't know if Alabama needs him. It has Evan Neal and it is pretty happy. The Tide would take him, but it’s not like they’re pushing like Tennessee. Tennessee is recruiting him the hardest, he has the most connections to that school and most people think it’s pretty much over.”

quote:Tennessee remains in great shape for 5-star tackle Darnell Wright. The Huntington native may or may not take official visits in January, with Tennessee guaranteed to a trip should he take visits. Wright’s recruitment has been particularly quiet, especially for a 5-star, and he could totally decide not to go anywhere next month. That decision would actually simply further help Tennessee’s chances, too, as Wright hasn’t been on another campus since the early summer.

While Georgia and Alabama have long been mentioned as Tennessee’s top competition, Wright mainly talked about West Virginia and UNC down at the Under Armour Game this week. Neither are viewed as real contenders, though. In four weeks, Tennessee looks well-positioned to land one of top prospects in the country — and a guy who flashed legit NFL potential in Orlando.

quote:The Vols are right there for To’oto’o due to Niedermeyer who has done a phenomenal job of recruiting not only Henry but his parents. He has spent time at both of their jobs and even took in a church service. The guy is just relentless. Tennessee’s pitch is not only selling playing time but quality defensive coaching. Relationships matter and Niedermeyer is one of the best.

Hope I’m wrong, just has the classic makings of the typical “dream recruit” the insiders on the other sites always falsely hype and pimp as someone we have a real shot with in order to maximize interest and clicks as signing day approaches. Seen it so many times over the years not to be cynical.

Pruitt was in Florida yesterday with Charles Kelly visiting Jay, but he will wait to take his in-home visits with Wright and Pickens later this month.

The Vols also saw commit LeDarrius Cox earlier this week. Kevin Sherrer went to visit with in-state linebacker target Chris Russell today, while David Johnson was in Memphis checking in on Minnesota DL commit Kristian Williams, who will OV here this weekend.

re: Tennessee Football RecruitingPosted by DovaVol on 1/17/19 at 8:17 am to psk_Vol

What year did you graduate? I was there 01-06

I think my favorite recruiting story about Pruitt thus far is showing To’oto’o the difference of him coaching Mack Wilson vs Tosh coaching him. Such a power move. Ready for this goon to go ahead and come on board now that Tosh is gone.